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And Sarkozy has followed Le Pen's lead. He championed a ban on Islamic face veils that he says imprison women and go against French values, and says the country should slash the number of immigrants it takes in. And he's threatened to pull France out of Europe's border-free travel zone if more is not done to tackle illegal immigration, an idea gaining traction in other capitals. ANGER AT SARKOZY More than anything else, this French election campaign is a referendum on the man currently in charge. Sarkozy inspired voters in 2007 with pledges to break with the past and make France a more dynamic economy. After an initial wave of reforms, his momentum fizzled. His stormy personal life got in the way: He divorced months into office, then quickly married former supermodel Carla Bruni, and became seen as a bling-bling president more concerned with pleasing his super-rich friends than serving the public. He enjoyed a string of foreign policy successes, improving relations with the United States and Israel, leading an international airstrike campaign in Libya, rallying European partners to stem Europe's financial crisis. But voters at home felt forgotten and hurt by a presidency that included France's worst recession since World War II. Hollande, despite a bland persona and few eye-catching campaign ideas, has been more popular than Sarkozy for months. Sarkozy showed signs of a possible comeback once he hit the campaign trail. The shooting rampage in southern France also gave him a platform to appear presidential and project the tough guy image that helped launch him to national prominence. But in recent days his support has lagged again. The last polls before the election, released Friday, show Sarkozy slipping a few points behind Hollande in the first round
-- and a crushing 10 to 15 points away from victory in the runoff. In a Friday night rally in the Riviera city of Nice, Sarkozy sought to distance himself from the far right and appealed to his followers: "We must win!" Hollande looked calm and easygoing as he walked down the main street of Vitry-le-Francois in eastern France on Friday, stopping in a pizzeria, several bars and cafes and a clothing shop to chat. Crowds were passionate in the nearby town of Saint Dizier, where factories have closed and unemployment is a key concern. "Francois for president!" fans chanted, pushing and shoving to shake Hollande's hand. Other chants targeted his chief rival: "Sarkozy, you're finished!"
[Associated
Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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